Forest Grove names new police chief

Kerry Aleshire, a Hillsboro police lieutenant, will be Forest Grove's next police chief, the city announced today.

Aleshire, 43, who lives in Forest Grove, will start June 24.

"He still has that fire in his belly. He really seemed passionate about Forest Grove's future," said city manager Michael Sykes, who chose to hire Aleshire after weeks of interviews and background checks.

"We've talked to everybody who works with him, around him, for him -- we've heard great things," Sykes said.

Aleshire, who grew up in western Washington County, oversees the Hillsboro Police Department's patrol division.

He said he would be interested in bringing Hillsboro's nationally praised mediation program to Forest Grove, although he said, "I need time to evaluate how the department operates and what flexibility we have with the training program we have there."